1. South Carolina loses out on highly-rated quarterback Drew Barker - what’s next for the Gamecocks?

2. Kyle Tucker on Barker committing to Kentucky: “A ton of credit goes to offensive coordinator Neal Brown…”

3. John Clay: Of all the positive moves (coach Mark) Stoops has made so far, locking the in-state gates ranks among the most impressive.

4. Defensive end Justin Thornton will announce his decision on Sunday.  Could be Auburn’s fourth player in the 2014 class from the Mobile area.

5. JUCO safety Derrick Moncrief has committed to Auburn.  He also had offers from Kentucky and Oklahoma State. Moncrief’s teammate -  D’haquille Williams – has committed to LSU. He’s the Tiger’s 10th commitment in the class of 2014.

6. Texas A&M has offered Plaquemine (La) defensive end Davon Godchaux. “I know Florida and A&M would be in my top three. USC, Florida State and Ole Miss are schools I like, as well. Everybody wants me to go to Alabama or LSU but I have to make a decision for my own self. I’m really liking Texas A&M right now”

7. Tennessee has a verbal commitment from 2015 offensive line in-state prospect Jack Jones.

If the crowd of 50,000 on hand for Kentucky’s spring game wasn’t enough to get your attention, check out these numbers:

First — 35,342.  Second — 21.4%

The first number represents how many football season tickets Kentucky has already sold for the 2013 football season.  The second number represents the expected increase in season-ticket sales over the 2012 season, Joker Phillips’ final year as the Wildcats’ coach.

When new coaches take over programs, there is usually a revival in interest in the program.  Indeed, Kentucky, Arkansas, Auburn and Tennessee — all with new coaches this season — all finished among the top five in SEC spring game attendance.  (Defending BCS champ Alabama also placed in the top five.)

Kentucky seems to be feeling more than just new-coach zeal, however.  Mark Stoops has certainly raised expectations and raised the Cats’ profile on the recruiting trail, but his choice of offensive coordinator has played just as big a role in renewed fan interest.

In December, Stoops named 33-year-old, ex-UK player Neal Brown as his coordinator and quarterbacks coach.  Brown is a proponent of the up-tempo, throw-it-all-over-the-yard style taught by the coaches he played under in Lexington — head coach Hal Mumme and assistants Mike Leach and Tony Franklin.  As a result, the UK athletics department has wisely taken advantage of the return of the “Air Raid offense” in every way imaginable, including in this Super Bowl ad trotted out in the Commowealth State this past February:

Judging by the season tickets sold to date, that air raid siren is being heard loud and clear by Wildcat fans.

Running back JoJo Kemp from DeLand (Fla.) High School has narrowed his list to three schools: Kentucky, Pittsburgh and West Virginia.

Kemp’s decision will likely come down to the style of offense he prefers, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

“Kemp said Monday he needs to decide if he wants to play in a pro-style offense, like that at Pittsburgh, or in the spread, like that of the offensive attacks at West Virginia and Kentucky. The Wildcats may even have more of a passing attack than what Kemp is looking for with new offensive coordinator Neal Brown at the helm under former FSU defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, now the head coach.”

Kemp, who previously committed to South Florida, had also considered Tennessee, where his cousin, Marlin Lane, plays running back.

UPDATE: It appears two more teams should be included in Kemp’s list of finalists. He tweeted a message Tuesday afternoon that included hashtags for Tennessee and South Florida.

I didn’t eliminate no one . #Pitt #Kentucky #WVU #Tennessee #USF

— Jojo Kemp (@J_Kemp4) January 8, 2013

Kemp told Volquest.com earlier this week that he plans to visit Tennessee on Jan. 18. It looks like that visit is still on.

Last week, new Kentucky coach Mark Stoops announced that former Florida State assistant DJ Eliot would join his program as the Wildcats’ new defensive coordinator.  Now he’s on the verge of hiring former UK receiver Neal Brown as his offensive coordinator.

Brown — who played under Hal Mumme at Kentucky before transferring to UMass — served as Tommy Tuberville’s O-coordinator at Texas Tech last season.  The Red Raiders were second in the nation in passing offense, averaging 362 passing yards per game.  They were also #16 in the nation in scoring offense (37.8 points per game).  During his three seasons in Lubbock, Texas Tech finished 15th, 13th, and 12th in total offense, improving in national rank each year.

Brown is a native of Danville, Kentucky.

It’s been rumored for a while, but this afternoon a Kentucky player “confirmed” via Twitter than Florida State defensive ends coach DJ Eliot will be taking over as UK’s defensive coordinator.  Linebacker Bud Dupree posted this afternoon that the hire is official.

Eliot coached with new Wildcats coach Mark Stoops at Florida State the past three seasons.

There are still rumors that Texas Tech offensive coordinator Neal Brown is being pursued to coordinate UK’s offense, but his name is also being kicked around in connection with some head coaching vacancies.

We await and official confirmation on the Eliot news.